Updated 5 December 2023
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors.
Service and service type
St Albans Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
At the time of the inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced. The inspection activity started on 08 November and ended on the 10 November 2023.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and commissioners who work with the service. We also looked at information we had received and held on our system about the home, this included notifications sent to us by the provider and information passed to us by members of the public. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 5 people who lived at St Albans Nursing Home, a relative, 4 members of staff, a registered nurse, the deputy manager and 2 area managers. We observed staff interaction with people, also, we reviewed a range of records. These included care records of people, medication records, and 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service. We had a walk around the premises and looked at infection control measures.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance systems the provider had in place and staff training records.